Alexander Armstrong, who began his TV career as a comedy actor, has become the darling of game shows of late – though I still fail to see why anyone would take part or even watch Pointless – and he’s about to add another notch to his game show belt with Prize Island, which is set to air on ITV later this year.

He’ll host the new game show alongside Big Brother’s Bit on the Side host Emma Willis, and both will oversee four couples who will “battle for survival” and to win the prize of £50,000. And as you’ll see after the jump, ITV are looking for peeps who want to compete on the show.

To be filmed on what the Sun describes as “an exotic hideaway” the contestants will have to use all their skills and resourcefulness in a series of challenges spanning four rounds.

In pairs, the contestants will sent off into jungle-like areas to carry out their challenges, until just one couple walks away with the money from the Buried Treasure finale round… Read more & comment »

Comedian and game show host Alexander Armstrong – who presents just plain naff game show Pointless on BBC – has revealed that the former boss of the corporation, Jay Hunt, blocked him from taking on the role as presenter of Channel 4’s Countdown.

He apparently decided to apply for the role of host on Countdown in 2008, but at the time, he sketch show, Armstrong and Miller – which co-starred Ben Miller – was at the height of its popularity.

Speaking to the Mirror, Alexander said, “She [Hunt] hit the roof when she heard that it was in the offing.

“You have to be very careful about those sorts of things. You think you’re a free agent but you’re not.

“I knew she was somebody who held power over a lot of key decisions on things I held dear and that if I did it, it would really p*** her off… Read more & comment »

Just yesterday, I wrote an article about Alexander Armstrong’s new game show, Big Ask, in which I wondered – as a side note – if anyone, anywhere, watches his other game show, Pointless…

Well, it would seem that over Christmas, five million people did, and as a result, the show has now been given a primetime slot on Saturday nights.

Now, in all honesty – other than anything hosted by Ant and Dec – Saturday night TV is where shows go to die. Generally speaking, only prisoners and the reluctant housebound watch Saturday evening TV because it’s dire.

However, the Daily Mirror reports that ITV bosses have been so impressed with the viewer ratings for Pointless in the last few weeks, that they’re hoping it’ll do well in the new time slot, and continue to do well in its weekday slot.

Also, the new Saturday show will feature celebrities as guests, and will be called – probably very aptly – Pointless Celebrities… Read more & comment »

Alexander Armstrong has revealed that his new game show, Alexander Armstrong’s Big Ask, will be less of a “bear pit” and “more civilized” than other shows of its ilk.

Of the show – which premieres at 9:00 pm on Monday, 6th February on Dave – Alexander said, “It’s a test of obscure general knowledge, but fun – just the sorts of strange facts that we all know and have stored away.

“It really gives rise to some flights of fancy from the assembled guests. And it gets comedians to do what they like to do best, which is catch each other out!”

He added, “I think what’s really nice about it is that it has a very genial atmosphere, it’s not one of those shows where comics are all shouting over each other… Read more & comment »

Alexander Armstrong, host of forthcoming new game show ‘Epic Win’ has told TV & Satellite Week magazine that he finds the somewhat eccentric contenders for the show “uplifting”.

Epic Win, which will air on Saturday nights on the BBC later this year, will feature contestants showcasing their own unique “passions and skills”, and of it, Alexander explained, “The idea for Epic Win came out of desire to find an outlet for British eccentrics…

“We wanted a fun show for Saturday nights on which we could celebrate the slightly odd hobbies and skills of a select few.

The acts aren’t like the ones you see on Britain’s Got Talent…

“For example, we have a man who can recognise different types of fish while being slapped around the face with them.

“It’s a great skill, but I can’t see him going down well at the Royal Variety Show. Read more & comment »

The popular quiz show Pointless is set to bring its unique mix of obscure knowledge, witticisms, daft humour and irresistible game play to BBC One Daytime this July.

The inaugural week on BBC One will showcase five episodes of Pointless Celebrities – which sees famous faces from the world of entertainment, sport and comedy competing to win a cash prize for their chosen charities. In order to reign victorious the celebrities will have to find the most obscure answers they can; answers no-one else could think of.

Read more & comment »

This summer, things are getting epic on Saturday nights on BBC One, as Alexander Armstrong (Armstrong & Miller, Reggie Perrin) challenges some of the nation’s quirkier unsung heroes to present their powers to the people in Epic Win.

From a man who can read hundreds of barcodes, to high-speed mobility scooter racing, plus men who can identify species of fish just by having them slapped in their face – no challenge is too weird, wacky and wonderful for this show.

Read more & comment »